Segmental hose fitting



Jan. 26, 1965 w. MY CLINE ETAL 3,167,334

SEGMENTAL HOSE FITTING Filed Sept. 24. 1958 ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,167,334 SEGMENTAL HUSE FITHNG William M. Cline, Rives `Function, and Wiiliam G.

Clemens, Jackson, Mich., assignors to Aeroquip Corporation, Jackson, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Sept. 24, 1958, Ser. No. '763,020 1 Claim. (Ci. 285-243) The present invention relates to segmented end fittings for flexible hose and particularly is related to reusable fittings for large size hose` The segmental socket hose fitting is particularly adapted for use with hose of 21/2" inte-rnal diameter and larger in that such fittings may be readily assembled without special equipment .and it is one of the objects of the invention to provide a hose fitting which may be affixed to a large hose, for example having 6" I D., by one man using conventional hand tools.

A serious problem encountered in fittings used with resilient hose occurs with ageing of the hose. As ribs, serrations and the like are usually employed in the socket and nipple construction to increase the blow ofi resistance of the fitting .and increase the union with the hose, pressure points in the rubber or other resilient material of the hose are created and as the hose ages the rubber tends to slowly flow away from these pressure points resulting in a loosening of the original grip the fitting had on the hose and a lowering of the blow ofi pressure point. The above described flow or creep is especially noticeable with large size hose and fittings wherein the .amount of rubber engaged by the fitting is substantial and in segmental fittings employing bolts to draw the segments together it is necessary to periodically tighten the bolts to maintain the initial blow off resistance due to this effect.

As such periodic tightening of the segment bolts is often neglected, fitting failures may occur and thus it is :a further object of the invention to provide a hose fitting wherein means are provided for automatically compensating for rubber fiow and maintaining an adequate uni-on with the hose over long periods of time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a segmen-tal hose fitting wherein many of the components may be produced from stampings and be economically and uniformly manufactured.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a reusable segmental hose fitting which is lightweight and easy to assemble .to the hose and which compensates and adjusts itself to accommodate hose of irregular wall thickness.

These and other objects of the invention residing in the details of construction of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is an elevational View of an assembled segmental fitting and hose in accordance withthe invention,

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the assembly of FIG. l taken from the `right side thereof,

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken along the line Ill- III of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the segment ser-ration insert of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a modication of segment and integral serration construction shown in sectional elevation, and

FIG. 6 is another modification of integral segment and serration construction.

As illustrated, the hose 10 may be of a conventional type usually consisting of a synthetic rubber inner liner lreinforced by a wire woven braid covering which is encased by another layer of synthetic rubber. Such hose 3,167,334 Patented Jan. 26, 1965 ICC is well known in the art and the specific construction forms no part of the invention. It will be understood that lthe fitting of the invention may be used with flexible hose other than that illust-rated and that the advantages .and operation of the fitting `are the same regardless of the type of resilient hose employed.

The fitting includes a tubular nipple 12, a portion of which is inserted into the hose. An annular nipple shoulder 14 is affixed to .the nipple 12 to provide for the terminal and coupling structure which also is employed with the fit-ting but does not form a part of the pres-ent invention and is no-t illustrated. The nipple 12 preferably has an outer diameter equal to the minimum tolerance of the hose internal diameter specifications to insure that the nipple may be inserted into the hose with little effort.

A plurality of annular ser-rations 16 are formed on ythe nipples outer surface in spaced axial arrangement defining recesses into which the material of the hose is pressed as will be later app-arent. An annular abutment 18 is also formed on the surface of t-he nipple and projects substantial-ly at right angles to 'the nipple axis to engage the end of the hose limiting and determining insertion of the nipple into the hose. The left surface of abutment 18, as viewed in FIG. 3, is sloped to present a conical seat 2t) merging with a cylindrical portion 22 of the nipple. Another annular projection 24 is formed on the exterior surface of nipple 12 for the purpose of preventing excessive movement of the socket segments during assembly, as will be later described, and is located adjacent portion 22 intermediate the shoulder 14 and the abutment 18.

The nipple 12 may either be formed from a machined or stamped part, however, from a cost standpoint the stamped construction is most desirable and this is the construction shown in FIG. 3 wherein it is apparent that the serrations, abutments and projection are formed by displacement `of the nipple wall.

The socket of lthe fitting consists of a plurality of segments 26 which are affixed to the nipple -and compress the hose material into tight engagement with the nipple to insure liuid tight sealing as well as grip the hose to prevent blowing ofi of the fitting under pressure. The number of segments used with a fitting may vary, however, the arcuate summation of the segments must be 360 to provide equal hose clamping throughout the hose periphery. Usually, fittings for hose of less than 4" I.D. employ four segments each extending over approximately of the hose periphery, hose from 4" to 7" employ five segmenst of substantially 72 each, generally the larger the hose the more segments used to facilitate assembly and prevent the size of the segments from becoming excessive.

The segments 26 arepreferably formed of steel stampings, however, aluminum stampings or other material having the desired strength `and other characteristics may be used, and include an arcuate portion 28 substantially conforming to the arc of the hose. The edges of the portion 28 are defiected outwardly at an angle to the portion 28 to define a pai-r of planar ears 30 which extend in radial directions with respect to the hose axis. The outer end of the segment is bent up in a direction perpendicular to the yhose axis to provide a reinforcing web 32 which interconnects the ears 30 of each segment and materially strengthens the entire segment. It will be noted that the web 32 produces .a radius 34 which prevents damage to the hose upon `deflection of the hose axis from that of the fitting such as occurs when the hose bends adjacent the fitting. The ears 30 form an important function `of the invention and being formed of a planar, relatively thin member will be capable of v.encantar K Y deflection without exceeding their elastic vlimit `or ex-flv periencing other permanent damage. A hole 36 lis drilled in eachy ear near the web 32 to provide forthe bolts 26 is tapered -as at `58 To produce a firm grip between the hose-.andjsocke-t segment, each'segment is provided with a plurality ofV Vserrations adapted to penetrate the outer rubber hose--` 'covering and these serrations may take several forms as evidenced bythe modifications of FIGS. v5 and 6.V Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 the serr'ations'may taketheform of an-insert 46having a convex surface corresponding to the innerconcavesurface of the segmentsZG. The'insert `may thus be Welded,brazed or otherwise affixed tothe segment Yforming an integral part thereof. In the usual form the insert 46 willV include threeserrations-48, 50 and 52 for'penetration of the hoseV and engagement with so as to directly overlie the yserrations 16, formed in the `nipple surface when the iitting is assembled asin FIG. 3.

The depthrofthe serrationsV and their relationship to the surface 42 of the hook aresignilicant and these detailsY are later described. Y v

The segmen-ts v26 are held in position at thefhooked "endby a floating ulcrum ring 54 having an inner arcuate surface for cooperation wtih the hook surface 42., The

ring 54 is of suiicient diameterto permit the hooks 40 forcing whichv-brinells into the ,tips ofthe serrations. As

is apparent infFIG. `3 the 'serrations 43-52 compress the hose into the .serrations 16 of thel nipple tol increase sealing Vand friction between the hose and nipple and displace the wirereinforcing in a sine wave pattern obtaining a' firm connection between the socket segments and the hose.

Tightening of the rbolts continues until the adjacent ears 30 are deflected from a planar configuration and bow toward eachother, n'o'te FIG. 1,'whereupon after a sufcient deflection has taken place thev assembly is complete. It .willbe appreciated that since the segments 26fare formed of a relativelyheavy gage steel, for instance the 'segments for a 3 inch hose use 5 'gage steel` (.209), and

lthe holes 36 are 'notfar removed from the Webs 32, with the force required to visibly 'deflect the ears is considerf nection capable of withstanding pressures above-1,200`

` p.s.i.` is .achieved The purpose of ythe' `deflection of the ears 30 `is to f counteract theY tendencyk of the liittin'g to relax its grip lthe wire reinforcing within thehose.V As noted in FIG. .3, Vthe serrations 48-52 are axiallypositioned 'and spaced on the hose because of the cold-ilowof the rubber away from the compression points. .Experience With conventhe bolts tend to loosen overl a period of time due to the a rubber within thehose iio'wingV away from lthe pressure f points created in the hose bythe serrations and the seg- ,mentsand-itrisznecessary to retighten the bolts periodicall 1yy to maintain the original efficiency of thelitting. This to be inserted between the ring and the nipple portion 22 wherein a clearance gap between the portion-22 fand hook is provided enabling the segments to'autoniatically adjust 'to the hose thickness and-prevent'binding of the segments. y l y The fittingY and hose 1'0 are assembled in the following manner:

autom'atic and maintenanceand inspection of this type To provide proper abutment ofthe end of the hose with l the abutment 18 the hose en dis cut'v off square, e.g. perpendicular to-the h'ose axis. The fulcrum Vring 54 isY vthen slipped over the nipple 12 andthe nipple` inserted into the hoseto abut the horse end against member 18. At

' this'tirne the rin'g54 Willbe lloosely' encompassing thev nipple somewhere'between the end'of the'hose and the nipple shoulder A'14 as the'LD. ofthe ring isles'sth'an the.

' O.D. yof the hose but' greater than the O.D. of'fthe abutvment 18. The ring-54is then axially'located intermediateV the conical seat 20 andthe projection24 and he'hooked portion 4'0 ofthe segments l26 are inserted 'under ringf 54and` the segments'Y-evenly.spaced'about the hose circum-V ference. Itwi'll be vapparent that'to insert the hook .'40

k'under the ring the outerend of the segment mustbe'held away from'thehose to prevent'interferenceuviththe 'abutment'18,lphowever, once the hookY is under 'the ring andthe segment hinged about thering toward the hose vthe projectiongr24 Kandseat' 20 prevent extensive' axial movement of the segment'and the segment will Aremain hooked to facilitate kthe final Vstages vof theasse'mbly.

Afterall 'thev segments 2,6A areA properlyr placed under the'ring thering'5f4, is Vmoved toward thehose ,untill they shoulder 4-4 bfjjtne hooks engages thewseatj zo and the` segments are-rockedtoward thehoseuntiljtyhe serrations 48 make contact therewithf'rBlts 5,61'arel 'then inserted int'o theholes 36 lof avdja'centearsl 30 and nuts 58 are" u threaded thereon. The operatcr now proceeds, to tighten the nuts v58, each nutbeing given'ffew turns ata time toV prevent uneven distribution ofclam'ping pressure about ing of the hose rubber from the points of high compression by employing the resiliency of the ears to maintain sufficient Vbolt tension, ieven though the rubber flows, to effect a irrn yerigaggement'of theserrations 48-52 with .the hose and prevents a significant decrease in the blow olf pressure from occurring. The action'of the ears is of Aiittingv is muchless than those fittings of the aforef mentioned conventional type.

conical lseat 20 of the abutment 18 during tightening'of the bolts 56'the (inclination of the seat will tend to urge ithersegnients toward 'the left, FIG. 3, thereby maintainingrtheend ofthe hose in'tight engagement'with the abutment 18-to aid in achievingman eifectivefiluidv seal. Also thefact that shoulder 44 is radiused provides a smooth the hose. `AsthenutsfSSlare'tightened the segments 265:.VV will. be drawnradially inward irnbeddingrr the serrations:

48-52jinto the hose, these' Yserrations penetrateY the outer v' rubber layer addir'e'ctly AContact -theWolven."v'vir'e feina'ction at" the line of conta'ctvwith the seat 20 and prevents binding.

v Arthe hose A10' mayfvary'in thickness asfmuch as .050", `the ipossibility of alike eccentricity lbetween the nipple and 55." Segments is present and could result in unequal compresprovided. ,Compensation for hose variationsY is achieved sion bythe segments Z6 if compensatingmeans are not by the vdisclosed fitting by the use of the floating fulcrum l.ring 54, the'seat 20 and the radius of shoulder 44 which permits the outer surface of the hose to' determine the axis ofthe .socket elements enabling the segments lto be self centering. As'contact between shoulder 44 and seat V20 is-in thev formfof an arcuate-lineth'e shoulder may contact thefseat atianyY radial-distanceand draw the hose tothe left as described thus limited variations in the hose thickness doesnot laffect the operationV or effectiveness of Vthe fitting.

The serrations "48,-'52 'are'fm'o's't effective upon the wire of the hose",brinelling or-becoming slightly imbedded lnto theltip ofthe serrations and this operation is best .accomplishedV without. excessive damage tothe hose or requiringe'xcessively long `vbolts 56 if the serrationSt) is slightlyr deeper than l48,.,-or 52 and. 48 is slightly deeper f than 52. For instance with a 6 `inch hose,l and using the pointpon hook surface 42 closest'tothe nipple axis as a reference point, the serration`48 projects .220" toward the nipple axis, 50 extends .250" and 52 projects .200"

and the axial distances of the serrations tip from the reference point is 1.730" for serration 48, 2.330 for 50 and 2.930" for 52. This relationship distributes the gripping forces substantially evenly between the serrations when the segments are parallel to the nipple and permits bolts of medium length to be used.

Modifications of segments and serration construction are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 wherein elements similar to those described above are similarly designated by primes. In FIG. 5 an integral segment construction is shown as may be formed by casting and machining the segments rather than using stampings. Such construction is heavier than stamped segments and is used particularly with larger hose sizes. Serration relationships and proportions similar to those `described in conjunction with FIG. 3 are preferably maintained with all segment constructions. The segment of FIG. 6 is formed from stamped steel and is very economical to manufacture. In this design the serrations 60-64 are formed from the material of the segment itself and the remainder of the segment is identical to that shown in FIGS. 1 3. This construction may be used in all hose sizes and the cost of manufacture makes this embodiment preferable to other constructions.

It will be understood that the principles and the spirit of the invention may be practiced with other embodiments of the invention than those described, for instance, the dellectable elements may take many forms and relationships to the hose and the means interconnecting the deflectable elements may be a clamping ring or any other member which places the deilectable members under stress whereby compensation for flowing of the hose rubber is achieved.

We claim:

A detachable, reusable exible hose end tting characterized by its ease of assembly, adaptability to large size hose and ability to compensate for hose material flow comprising a nipple having a cylindrical portion insertable into the bore of the hose, a radial abutment annularly formed on the exterior o-f said nipple axially spaced from said cylindrical portion and engageable with the end of the hose, a segmented socket for embracing and compressing a hose mounted on said nipple, said socket comprising segments having generally cylindrical inner and outer surfaces and first and second means at opposite ends to support said segments assembled on said nipple in a contracted position, resilient deflectable members mounted on said segments and comprising radially extending ear portions formed from the material of the segments, an arcuate hook portion defined on each of said segments adapted to engage said first means as a fulcrum end wherein said rst means holds said hook portions against radially outward movement, bolt means extending through openings defined in said deectable members and interconnecting the detlectable members of adjacent segments, said bolt means comprising said second means whereby tightening of said bolt means contracts said segments compressing the hose on said nipple and said deflectable members are deflected under the tension of said bolts such that said members maintain tension in said bolts upon flowing of the hose material between said segments and said nipple, said segments when applied and before said compression being spaced from each other, and a reinforcing web interconnecting said deflectable members at one end thereof.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 548,932 Snyder Oct. 29, 1895 1,072,896 Albee Sept. 9, 1913 1,133,080 Williams Oct. 6, 1914 1,212,817 Russell Jan. 16, 1917 2,512,741 Goodall June 27, 1950 3,019,038 Cline Jan. 30, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 679,039 France Jan. 5, 1930 133,909 Great Britain Oct. 23, 1919 737,252 Germany June 3, 1957 

